Page 20 - Spring 2020 Digital inLEAGUE Volume 43 Number 02

Whether you have established a list of selected
architects to consider for your project or you are
issuing a public advertisement, you will need to
decide on a process by which you can gather
information on qualifications, experience, design
philosophy, proposed services and fees, and other
relevant information that will help in your selection of
the architecture firm and its consultant team. If you
are unsure of the specific qualifications of a pool of
architects, you might issue a Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) to gather as much information about the teams
as possible. RFQs, in general, do not include a request
for fees related to specific services that would be
provided for your project. A Request for Proposal (RFP),
usually includes requirements for specific services and
fees related to a project. An RFP can include all the
information contained within an RFQ if you do not
need to whittle down the initial list of architects to a
manageable number. A short list of architects can
be made following either submission, and you might
decide to interview all or some of the architects to get
a good feel for who might be working on your project.
No matter which process you choose, RFQ or RFP, it is
important to remember several things:
• RFQs and RFPs should be issued as formal
documents. Never issue verbal requests for
information.
• Ask for detailed information on how the design
(Continued on page 20.)
CUSTOM STAGING
EQUIPMENT
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PAGE 18 | INLEAGUE League of Historic American Theatres
Case Study: Civic Theatre of Allentown
Civic Theatre of Allentown’s historic Nineteenth
Street Theatre building was constructed in 1928
as a 1,000-seat silent movie house. Now a 484-
seat venue and centerpiece of Allentown’s West
End Theatre District, it screens first-run films, hosts
locally produced live theatrical productions,
and runs a robust education program. One of
only two historic theatres operating in Allentown,
Civic Theatre is a neighborhood landmark and
important cultural and educational facility.
The comprehensive renovation of the Nineteenth
Street Theatre building was designed to increase
production capacity, enhance programming,
provide greater patron access, and expand
educational opportunities in a manner that
reflects the values of a rapidly changing urban
community. Theatre management and Mills +
Schnoering Architects, LLC, began by preparing
a master plan for the full renovation, restoration,
and expansion of the Civic Theatre complex,
Civic Theatre, Allentown, PA auditorium before renovation | Photo courtesy Mills + Schnoering Architects
Civic Theatre, Allentown, PA lobby before renovation | Photo courtesy Mills + Schnoering Architects